GOODBYE: Burnley played their final Premier League game at Turf Moor [GETTY]

The Turf Moor stalemate takes them to 51 points – the most they have ever registered in the seven years they have been in the top flight.

And the points tally also ensures successive top-half finishes in the top flight for the first time in 40 years.

The record could have been brought up with a win but Diouf spurned two good opportunities to break the deadlock while Jonathan Walters also missed a good chance.

Stoke boss Mark Hughes said: “We got to 51 points, we are delighted with that. It’s a huge effort from everybody this year.

“We got 50 last year and ninth position but we had to work harder for it this year.

“We’ve have had more injuries to key personnel that we’ve had to deal with but we have come though as a group and been really strong.

“Back-to-back top-ten finishes is something this club hasn’t done for 40-odd years so it’s a real achievement and something we are all very proud of.”

Burnley, whose home fans were waving goodbye to Premier League football for the time being, made all of the early running but could not quite force a breakthrough despite several attempts from top scoerer Danny Ings.

STARLET: Jack Butland kept a clean sheet for Stoke [GETTY]

The England Under-21s star was desperate to get onto the scoresheet in what is expected to be his final home game before a likely summer exit but was denied three times by Stoke keeper Jack Butland.

Turf Moor has seen fewer goals than any other Premier League ground this season, with just 35, highlighting where Burnley’s problems have been.

A home campaign, which has seen a win over Manchester City and draws with Manchester United and Tottenham, has been undermined by games Sean Dyche’s men have dominated but have not been able to win.

Ings forced former Birmingham stopper Butland into a decent stop from Kieran Trippier’s cutback with a superb block from Stoke skipper Ryan Shawcross denying midfielder Scott Arfield a goal from the rebound.

Butland was proving why boss Mark Hughes had kept faith with him as he palmed David Jones’ volley away, with the hosts enjoying a rampant opening 25 minutes.

But their failure to punish Stoke allowed the visitors into the game and they created two chances which should have seen them go into the break in front.

WANTED: Danny Ings could leave Burnley in the summer [GETTY]

First, a quick counter-attack saw Walters cross for Diouf, who inexplicably put his header wide at the far post and then Walters also missed the target from the edge of the area soon after.

Burnley keeper Tom Heaton made a fine save to deny Diouf from close range after Charlie Adam’s cross found its way through and then some heroic defending from Jason Shackell stopped the dangerous Diouf heading home at the near post.

Burnley boss Dyche said: “We defended well, we had good shape, good energy and created chances – but you’ve got to take them. That’s the frustration.”

And on Ings’ likely exit Dyche added: “I don’t think I need to say too much, not with his words but with his actions, certainly over the last two seasons.

“It’s good to see his development. It looks like that will not continue here with us but we have played a big part in it.”